National Environmental Policy Act

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 was hailed at the time as a landmark pieces of U.S. environmental legislation reflecting increasing public concern about the environment.

The stated purposes of the act are "To declare a national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation; and to establish a Council on Environmental Quality."